Hamster Hybrids

Subfamily Cricetinae

Hamster hybrids are covered on this page. According to many internet sources, there have been only two types of hamster hybrids reported, but there are actually quite a few different crosses of this type known (see below).

Graomys centralis [Central Leaf-eared Mouse]
× Graomys griseoflavus (♀) [Gray Leaf-eared Mouse] CHR. LFH. CON: Argentina, in the adjacent to the border between La Rioja and Córdoba. Hybrids of both sexes have been reported. The male hybrids exhibit disrupted spermatogenesis. The IUCN treats centralis as a species, which is treated as subspecies of griseoflavus by Wilson and Reeder (1993). Intenet Citations: GRAOM.

Graomys griseoflavus [Gray Leaf-eared Mouse] See: Graomys centralis.

Mesocricetus auratus [Golden Hamster]
See also: Cricetus cricetus.
× Arvicola terrestris (♂) [European Water Vole] Mating was observed in captivity, but no hybrids were reported. Arvicola terrestris is usually assigned to the subfamily Arvicolinae (voles, lemmings, and muskrats) of family Muridae. Petzsch 1953, 1956.
× Mesocricetus brandti [Brandt’s Hamster] Mating has been observed in captivity, but no hybrids were reported. Todd et al. 1972
× Mesocricetus newtoni (↔) [Romanian Hamster] CHR. DRS. HPF(♀♀). Regarding F₁ hybrids from M. auratus mothers, Todd et al. (p. 76) state that “ovaries have been observed that appear completely normal and support apparently mature follicles.” Growth rate of F₁ hybrids is heterotic. The sternal stripe is dark as in M. newtoni, but narrower. Raicu and Bratosin (p. 133) say that “although mating is easily and repeatedly realized, fecundation takes place rarely, and only after several months of cohabitation.” Parents had 6-10 pups per litter, while hybrids had 2-4. Fur is similar to that of M. auratus, but less reddish. In temperament the hybrids resemble M. auratus (they lack the liveliness and nervousness of M. newtoni). Raicu et al. 1970; Raicu and Bratosin 1968†; Raicu et al. 1969, 1970; Todd et al. 1972.
× Peromyscus maniculatus [North American Deer Mouse] Insemination of a P. maniculatus female with M. auratus sperm produced two instances of first cleavage. Maddock and Dawson (1974, pp. 630-631) say that in one of these cases “a regular two-cell stage was observed, and each blastomere indicated regular organization of a mitotic apparatus for the second division.” In another mouse, probable sperm penetration of an ovum was seen.